$1500-$2000 Gaming Computer, Need Advice

[crazib88]

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: Soon, when I can finalize my build. BUDGET RANGE: Approximately $1500-$2000, and obviously anything lower if possible.

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming, maybe video editing, more gaming, and some school work.

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: keyboard, mouse.

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: newegg? I am new to this all, so any suggestions will help.

OVERCLOCKING: Yes SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Maybe

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: I am a student with some money and a decent job, but would obviously like to cut costs while still making this computer as efficient as possible. Also, this is my first time doing this.
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CPU - Intel Core I7 920
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115202

Motherboard - EVGA E758-A1 3-Way SLI (x16/x16/x8) LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813188039

Power Supply - CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006

Video Card - EVGA 01G-P3-1180-AR GeForce GTX 285 1GB 512-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130480

Sound Card - Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeGamer 7.1
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829102006

Memory - CORSAIR DOMINATOR 6GB (3 x 2GB)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145224

Internal Hard Drive - Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136319

Computer Case - Antec P182 Gun Metal Black 0.8mm cold rolled steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129025

DVD -LG Black 22X (CAV) DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD+R DL 22X
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136152


Overall, this is my basic build so far. It totals around $1,700. If there are any tweaks you can make to either lower the cost, or give feedback on the certain products I have chosen, that would be phenomenal. Also, if you have any good suggestions for good screens that would also be appreciated. Thanks all!

 

[zendax]

Looks good for the most part. Here's my advice:

1) Ditch the GTX 285. the 275 is $100 cheaper and overall very close performance wise. Use that $100, and save it for another GTX 275 down the road should you decide you need more power.

2) The case isn't the best choice. It's a very well constructed case, to be sure, but fitting your video card, while possible, will prove problematic and will prevent your cooling options. I'm assuming you don't want something radical in appearance, but you should look as something a little bit bigger with a more open design.

 

[Why_Me]

There is no mention of a monitor and/or screen resolution in your post. Do you already have a monitor ? If so what is that resolution? If you don't have a monitor, what resolution are you wanting ?

 

[crazib88]

Sorry, I the monitor I do have is very old, with a really bad resolution ( I am not sure exactly) and I am able to use it, but would prefer not too. The other problem is that I am not sure what resolution I want. What is standard? Sorry I can't help more with that question.

 

[gkay09]

Hi...It is a pretty good setup...
But if you want to cut cost and still not loose on performance, then here are a few suggestions...
1. Change the mobo to this...
Reason - http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/rampage-gene-lanparty,2302.html
- Saved $50
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131371

2. Ditch the sound card...That mobo has premium onboard sound...
- Saved $95
If you are not satisfied with the onboard sound, then buy the sound card

3. +1 for the GTX 275...It offers similar performance as the GTX 285 for resolutions upto 1900x1200...So no point wasting $100 more for just 3-5 FPS increase...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130475
- Saved about $100

4. The Dominators are really the best enthusiast RAMs...
Get them only if you are planning for overclock 4 GHz and above...Reason am saying this is because even other RAMs can help overclock the i7 upto 3.6-3.8GHz
Get the OCZ Platinum- has CAS 7 and is also a 1600MHz RAM...So with higher CAS, can easily reach 1800+MHz...
- Saved $70
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227381

5. Get the i7 920 DO stepping instead of the regular CO stepping as it allows much higher stable overclock and gives out comparatively less heat...
http://www.ncixus.com/products/38881/BX80601920%20-%20D0/Intel/

Why_Me has an online store link for cheaper i7 920 DO stepping CPU

4. Dint find any CPU Cooler in the list...
One of the best for the i7 - TRUE Extreme
http://www.xoxide.com/thermalright-true-black-extreme-cpucooler.html
Fan for the cooler -
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835185006

CASE - Antec 900 - If it is fine with you
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129021

So with these changes, you save good amount of cash...

Monitor - 1900X1200 resolution
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Productcompare.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010190020%204802&bop=And&ActiveSearchResult=True&CompareItemList=N82E16824001280%2CN82E16824236033

Or 1080p
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Productcompare.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010190020%204802&bop=And&ActiveSearchResult=True&CompareItemList=N82E16824236051%2CN82E16824236052%2CN82E16824236053%2CN82E16824236049%2CN82E16824236048%2CN82E16824005125

 

[Why_Me]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119137 $79.99
COOLER MASTER RC-690-KKN1-GP Black SECC/ ABS ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006 $109.99 ($99.99 after $10.00 Mail-In Rebate) Free Shipping*
CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply - Retail

http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?name=MB-EX58U4P $219.99 | $204.99 after rebate
GIGABYTE GA-EX58-UD4P Core i7/ Intel X58/ DDR3/ CorssFireX & 3-Way SLI/ A&GbE/ ATX Motherboard

https://www.antaresdigital.com/customer/product.php?productid=16135&cat=282&page=1" $ 280.00
Intel Core i7 920 2.66GHz LGA 1366 Socket 8MB Cache CPU D0 Stepping

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233029 $39.99
XIGMATEK Dark Knight-S1283V 120mm Long Life Bearing CPU Cooler - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835154003 $4.99
Tuniq TX-2 Cooling Thermal Compound - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130475 $239.99 ($219.99 after $20.00 Mail-In Rebate) Free Shipping*
EVGA 896-P3-1170-AR GeForce GTX 275 896MB 448-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail
Free Cryostasis game w/ registration at manufacturer website

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130475 $239.99 ($219.99 after $20.00 Mail-In Rebate) Free Shipping*
EVGA 896-P3-1170-AR GeForce GTX 275 896MB 448-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail
Free Cryostasis game w/ registration at manufacturer website

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231247 $94.99 Free Shipping*
G.SKILL 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136319 $74.99 Free Shipping*
Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - OEM

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151171 $24.99
SAMSUNG Black 22X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD+R DL 22X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 22X DVD Burner - OEM

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236033 $269.99 ($249.99 after $20.00 Mail-In Rebate) Free Shipping*
ASUS MK241H Black 24" 2ms HDMI Widescreen LCD Monitor with 1.3M Pixel Webcam 450 cd/m2 1000:1 (ASCR 3000:1) Built in Speakers - Retail
Color Saturation 92% (NTSC)

Total: $1,679.89 | $1,594.89 w/mail in rebates

* Here's a nice alternative case for a few more dollars.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119197 $129.99
COOLER MASTER HAF 922 RC-922M-KKN1-GP Black Steel + Plastic and Mesh Bezel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
New Arrival

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/evalcenter/dd353205.aspx?ITPID=mscomsc <--- Save yourself some money on an o/s until March 2010 and dl the 64 bit version of Windows 7

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128374 <--- more pics, specs, and customer reviews of that Gigabyte UD4P mobo used in this build

http://www.anandtech.com/weblog/showpost.aspx?i=584 <---short review on that D0 stepping i7. It runs cooler than the older C0 stepping i7's

http://www.fudzilla.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=11773&Itemid=1 <--- that's one way you can tell if you have a D0 stepping cpu or not

 

[crazib88]

Can someone compare the built in mobo soundcard to something? Is it just like regular sound? Sorry, I am just deciding if I want to include a soundcard or not.

 

[zendax]

Can someone compare the built in mobo soundcard to something? Is it just like regular sound? Sorry, I am just deciding if I want to include a soundcard or not.

I'd wait on the sound card. Unlike other components where you have to decide to buy something, waiting costs you nothing. More than likely you'll find the on-board audio is more than adequate for your needs. If, for some reason, you do not, then buy a sound card and plug it in!

It would be difficult to provide a direct comparison to anything, as so much depends on your audio equipment. Unless you have some relatively high-end speakers or headphones, you probably won't notice a difference.

 

[gkay09]

^ I would agree with the above person...
Wait till you first hand experience the sound, if you are not satisfied, then buy the sound card...

 

[smithereen]

If you have awesome speakers, get a Xonar. If not, sit on your onboard sound.

 

[Why_Me]

Can someone compare the built in mobo soundcard to something? Is it just like regular sound? Sorry, I am just deciding if I want to include a soundcard or not.

Check that build I posted earlier in this thread. I updated it for you, but I'm not sure if you wanted a fancier case or not.